Seasoned New Patriotic Party (NPP) figure Richard Nyama has described the Tamale High Court’s order for a rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary elections as a “politically procured judgement” that threatens peace and stability in the constituency.
According to him, waking up to news of the ruling initially appeared to be “fake news”, only for subsequent checks to confirm the development.
He argued that the decision undermines the clear mandate delivered to the NPP’s Hon Matthew Nyindam in the 2024 polls.Mr Nyama emphasised that the Kpandai constituency has experienced a significant political shift over the past decade.
For 20 years, the seat had been a stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) until Matthew Nyindam’s breakthrough victory in 2012.
He noted that the area had since evolved from a safe NDC seat to a swing constituency, and by the 2024 election results, was gradually becoming a safe seat for the NPP.
He pointed out that, for the first time, an NPP presidential candidate—former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia—defeated former President John Dramani Mahama in the constituency by over 500 votes.
Citing the strong performance of the NPP in both the parliamentary and presidential ballots, Mr Nyama described the court’s decision as “a corrupt judgement” aimed at overturning the will of the people.
He questioned why the presiding judge would “seek to give what was not asked for”, especially when the NDC’s own petition centred on 41 polling stations which, he argues, would not have altered the final outcome even if awarded entirely to the opposition.
He referenced the Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling led by Justice Atuguba, which affirmed that elections are won and lost at the polling station.
The NPP stalwart further accused the NDC of attempting to disrupt the electoral process on the day of declaration, claiming that the party’s agents vandalised the collation centre upon realising they were losing, forcing election officials to move the process to the regional capital.
He cautioned that the ruling could embolden further attempts to overturn legitimate mandates if the NPP’s leadership does not unite swiftly to support Mr Nyindam and the people of Kpandai in contesting the decision.
Mr Nyama concluded with a rallying call to NPP loyalists, warning that complacency could result in the party losing all its parliamentary seats by the end of the current administration.
He insisted that the people of Kpandai would “fight this till justice is done”, adding that the judiciary appeared to have “been reset to kowtow to the NDC government”.
He urged Matthew Nyindam to remain steadfast, assuring him of the unwavering support of his constituents and party faithful.